SOFREP Evening Brief: Sudan Civil War Update, China Booted from UK Steel Sector, Houthi Missile Fired at Israel

Recent reports highlight a devastating escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, particularly in the Darfur region.

Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched assaults on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps in Darfur, killing over 100 people, including 20 children and nine humanitarian workers. These camps shelter over 700,000 people displaced by the conflict and are experiencing famine-like conditions. The attacks also targeted medical facilities, leaving survivors without essential healthcare.

The UN has condemned these acts as grave violations of international humanitarian law. Relief International reported that nine of its staff members were killed during these assaults, which they described as deliberate attacks on healthcare infrastructure. Residents describe the situation as “extremely catastrophic,” with blocked escape routes and ongoing bombardments.

The Sudanese civil war began in April 2023 due to a power struggle between Sudan’s army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of over 12 million people, and widespread hunger affecting half of Sudan’s population.

This escalation exposes to the world the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with both sides accused of atrocities, including ethnic violence and targeting civilians.

China Booted From UK Steel Sector

China is no longer welcome in the UK steel sector following the government’s emergency intervention to secure control of British Steel, which is owned by China’s Jingye Group. This decision stems from Jingye’s rejection of a £500 million government aid package aimed at preventing irreversible damage to blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant. The refusal left the UK government with no option but to enact urgent legislation allowing it to take control of British Steel and ensure its continued operation.

The Scunthorpe blast furnaces, losing £700,000 daily, are critical for producing “virgin steel” from raw materials. Their closure would have made Britain the only major economy unable to produce such steel, posing risks to industrial sovereignty and national security. Jingye’s plan to import steel from China for processing in the UK was deemed unacceptable due to concerns over reliance on Chinese-controlled infrastructure.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds criticized previous governments for allowing Chinese companies into sensitive sectors like steel, citing direct ties between Jingye and the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized that steelmaking is a strategic industry vital for defense and energy projects, making foreign control a security risk. Reynolds stated that while other sectors like automotive manufacturing and life sciences might be open to Chinese investment, steel remains off-limits.

The Labour government has faced criticism for its handling of negotiations with Jingye, which demanded £1 billion in aid instead of the offered £500 million. Jingye’s lack of significant capital investment in British Steel since acquiring it in 2020 further undermined trust. The government’s intervention reflects broader concerns about safeguarding critical infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions.

“LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) – China is no longer welcome in Britain’s steel sector after the government had to pass emergency legislation on Saturday to ensure control of Chinese-owned British Steel, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said on Sunday.” pic.twitter.com/r5J84q0xPY

— Kalu Aja (@FinPlanKaluAja1) April 13, 2025

Houthis Launch Missile at Israel

On April 13, 2025, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile targeting Israel. The missile triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and parts of the West Bank. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the missile was likely intercepted by air defenses, with shrapnel falling in the Hebron area of the West Bank. No injuries or major damage were reported.

Initially, the IDF indicated that two missiles might have been launched but later clarified that only one missile was fired. This marks the continuation of Houthi attacks on Israel since March 2025, following the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza. These attacks are claimed by the Houthis to be in solidarity with Palestinians.

The interception caused delays for flights at Ben Gurion Airport, and local searches for debris were conducted. This incident reflects ongoing regional tensions amid the broader conflict involving Gaza and escalating U.S.-Iran dynamics.

Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Party Falling Apart

Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, is moving toward shutting down after a key vote on April 13, 2025. In that vote, more than 90% of participating members agreed to let the party’s central committee begin the process of dissolving the organization. This decision comes as political freedoms in Hong Kong continue to disappear under pressure from China’s government.

Party members have faced growing warnings from Chinese authorities about the risks of staying active. Founding member Yeung Sum and others were reportedly told that shutting down the party would help them avoid harsh punishment, especially with new legislative elections approaching. The 2020 national security law has also played a major role in the party’s decision. That law has been used to arrest and imprison many pro-democracy activists, including former lawmakers from the Democratic Party. It has also drastically limited who can run for office in Hong Kong, allowing only so-called “patriots” to take part.

Once considered a moderate political force in Hong Kong, the Democratic Party has seen its role shrink to that of a small pressure group with little real influence. The broader political environment, filled with censorship, surveillance, and restrictions on basic freedoms, has made it nearly impossible for the party to function as it once did.

While the party’s disbandment is not yet final, the vote signals a dark moment for democracy in Hong Kong. The Democratic Party’s likely closure marks another step in the steady erosion of the autonomy and freedoms that Hong Kong was supposed to enjoy under the “one country, two systems” agreement following its 1997 handover from Britain. Still, many believe that even as formal pro-democracy organizations disappear, the desire for freedom and democracy among Hong Kong’s people will live on in other ways.